In his fourth Test, Vettori makes use of a sub-standard pitch to bowl New Zealand to a 120-run victory over Sri Lanka. It is a low-scoring match - the hosts make 222 and 273 - but Vettori's knowledge of his home ground gives New Zealand the edge. He warms up with four victims in the first innings and then in the second, as Sri Lanka chase an unlikely 326, he secures his first five-wicket haul in a Test. The 18-year-old Vettori is named Man of the Match.

5 for 62 and 7 for 87 v Australia, Auckland, 1999-2000

Most bowlers would hope that match figures of 12 for 149 would be enough to set up a win. In Auckland, Vettori discovers that a Man-of-the-Match performance is a hollow reward when the team is defeated. Almost singlehandedly, Vettori gives the hosts a chance with a remarkable display that includes seven second-innings wickets. The target of 281 is too tall for his batting team-mates, however, as Colin Miller and Shane Warne also extract plenty of turn. Vettori's haul remains his best in a Test.

6 for 87 and 2 for 142 v Australia, Perth, 2001-02

Another Man-of-the-Match effort for Vettori and another missed opportunity for New Zealand. After four New Zealanders pile on centuries Australia want to score just as voluminously. Vettori has other ideas and grabs six wickets including both Waughs, Adam Gilchrist, and famously Shane Warne for 99. The visitors have a 183-run lead and with the first two Tests of the three-match series drawn, they want a celebrated series win. But in the second innings the Australian wickets just don't tumble. Vettori claims 2 for 142, secures a run-out and thinks he has Steve Waugh caught behind for 13. The umpire disagrees, and the series is drawn 0-0.

5 for 30 v West Indies, Lord's, 2004

It is hardly a thrilling climax to the NatWest Series - Wisden describes it as "a one-sided final played out between showers made a fitting end to this unmemorable tournament". Vettori would remember the game, though, as it brought his best figures in a one-day international. He troubles the West Indies middle order with 5 for 30 and completes two run-outs as New Zealand triumphed.

2 for 26 and 6 for 28 v Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2004-05

The competition might not have been the fiercest Vettori has faced, but a match haul of 8 for 54 is just what he needs. His previous nine Tests have brought only 16 wickets as he has struggled for impact against England, Pakistan, India and South Africa. He works hard in the first innings for little reward - 2 for 26 from 29 overs - but exploits the conditions beautifully in the second. His 6 for 28 is his first five-wicket haul in nearly three years, and New Zealand secure victory with five sessions remaining.

6 for 70 and 6 for 100 v Bangladesh, Chittagong, 2004-05

As if to confirm that he really is back, Vettori follows the Dhaka Test with an even more productive outing in Chittagong. He goes for a few more runs but a 12-wicket haul - his second in Tests - seals the Man-of-the-Series title and tells the world Vettori is a threat once more. He finishes the tour with 20 victims at 11.20, the best figures recorded by a New Zealand bowler in a two-Test series.

127, 2 for 1 and 4 for 28 v Zimbabwe, Harare, 2005-06

About a year later Vettori continues his minnow-bashing in Harare, but this time he does most of his damage with the bat. His second Test century is the fastest ever by a New Zealander, coming from 82 balls. By the time he finally departs for 127, he has belted 20 fours and two sixes. It is all the more remarkable considering his lucky escape on 67 - he plays on to Heath Streak, but the bail bounces into the air and lands back on the stump at right angles, meaning technically it is not dislodged. For good measure, Vettori backs up with match figures of 6 for 29, although his victims were mostly tailenders.

4 for 33 v Australia, Melbourne, 2005-06

As if Vettori has not endured enough occasions when New Zealand have lost despite his heroics, this time the same happens with the World XI. In the first Super Series ODI Vettori has the ball on a string, showing off his subtle variations in line, length, flight and turn. He grabs the key wickets of Andrew Symonds, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey and Shane Watson, and ensures the World XI chase a gettable 256. They are dismissed for 162.

5 for 59, 4 for 74, 55* and 76, Chittagong, 2008-09

This is as much a man can make a Test his own. Vettori's five-for first limits Bangladesh to 245, but it's only thanks to an unbeaten 55 that New Zealand - 100 for 7 at one stage - trail by just 74. Vettori's four-for in the second innings means New Zealand are left to chase 317 to avoid a humiliating defeat, and the batsmen are still struggling. Vettori promotes himself to No. 4, taking all the pressure upon himself, scoring a gritty 76 at a strike-rate of 35 to set up a scrappy three-wicket win.

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